Intensified Road Patrol Begins Ahead of Holiday

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The Greensboro Police Department said it is intensifying its enforcement efforts on highly-traveled roadways from Wednesday through Sunday. Officers will be looking for reckless driving-especially following too closely and failing to buckle up. The "Click It or Ticket" campaign is in effect statewide through Dec. 1.

Officer J. Brian Price said already, on Tuesday night, there was a higher-than-normal number of accidents in Greensboro, so he is warning drivers to heed caution as they head out to holiday destinations. He said he expects the roadways to be even more crowded than usual this holiday week, because of record low gas prices.

Price said across North Carolina, this is typically one of the deadliest weekends on the roadways. He advises drivers to make sure they are keeping proper following distance-up to five to six car lengths, if drivers are traveling at 55 miles per hour. With the average reaction time of three quarters of a second, cars will travel 88 feet at 55 mph during that time. Additionally, it will take another 80 to 100 feet for the car to come under control and for the breaks to allow the car to come to a complete stop.

Price also suggested, due to likely heavy traffic, all drivers have a travel plan that will allow them a longer period of time to get to a destination. "It's important not to set unreasonable expectations," he said.

Additionally, Price encouraged families traveling to bring a charged phone, backup paper directions or map and a blanket. He said these tools will help prevent families from being caught in an undesirable situation, if their technology fails.

He also said drivers must know what to do in the event of an accident. All cars involved in the crash must be pulled over to the side of the road and wait for law enforcement to arrive on scene. Price said never stop in the middle of the road or highway, as drivers who do this might consequentially endanger other drivers.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NC DOT) has issued additional travel tips for the holiday week. NC DOT advises drivers to travel at non-peak hours, if possible. Stay alert, be patient and obey the speed limit. Do not drive drowsily. Try to travel during hours in which you are typically awake. If your road trip is lengthy, take frequent breaks from driving.

NC DOT says most construction projects along interstate, North Carolina and US routes will be suspended through Monday at 9 a.m. However, I-73 in Greensboro will continue to be reduced to two lanes in each direction between I-40 and I-85.